Three men call themselves “father.” The first man
goes by this title simply because he has children
(thus, verifying the biological connection that he has
with his offspring – cf. Heb. 12:9).
The second man calls himself “father” in a spiritual
sense, but does so as a figure of speech (or,
metaphorically) to emphasize the fact that he has
converted others to Christ through the gospel. This
is how the apostle Paul used the term in 1
Corinthians 4:15 (cf. 1 John 2:1; 3:18).
The third man also calls himself “father” in a religious
sense, but he uses this designation as a self-reverent
“title.” On this note Jesus said, “Do not call anyone
on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who
is in heaven” (Matt. 23:9). For one to call himself
“Father,” “Reverend,” “His Grace,” (etc.) is
sacrilegious – for such reverence belongs to God
alone (Ps. 89:7)! To call any man by such a title is to
suggest that he is equal with “God.” Friends, there is
only one God (Eph. 4:6).